The other side of the box

As I've progressed on my fitness journey I've sometimes thought about being a trainer. I feel like I have an understanding and compassion for how it feels to start out a fitness program significantly overweight. Through my experience with athletes of all kinds and the various programs I've read and followed for running or lifting, I feel like I have a grasp of the rationale behind doing things a certain way. The science and psychology of exercise intrigues me.

I've had the pleasure of running with my husband (who is not a regular runner) and coaching him through interval training. I try to be encouraging without seeming false, I try to give motivational cues -- like being to the halfway point or having a minute left on an interval -- without interferring with his thought process of how he needs to get through his run.

It's not as easy as it seems. When I go tp Xfit I have the advantage of having worked out with all the trainers at some point so I know how incredibly fit and inspiring they are. They walk the walk. At other places you might not ever see the trainer work out though. I hate, hate, hate, HATE WITH A PASSION shows like the Biggest Loser. I know so many people find that show inspiring and I think the people themselves are but trainers like Jillian Michaels who scream and yell irk the shit out of me. I've seen them at gyms barking out commands, pushing people beyond perhaps where they should go without a lot of regard for that individual's needs. It's not just about physical limitations, it's also about that fine line where you make someone work harder for you and putting someone completely off to doing it because they feel patronized.

Everyone has their own needs of how they need to be coached. Some people respond well to the "in your face" approach. Some don't. I'd never really given it much thought how I best respond to coaching until last night. I know I'm always appreciative of the form pointers and encouragement I get at Xfit but I hadn't considered what a coach could do to make me go to the next level.

Last night we had 10 minutes before the WOD to work on our "goat." Our goat being a skill that needed improvement. I like working on skills in that setting because I'm less afraid to try out new things without the chaos of a WOD happening or with the clock ticking against me. I thought about it all day what I was going to work on and I decided that I was going to overcome a fear and move up box heights for box jumps.

When we started I dragged out the 18" box. The owner looked at me and asked me what box I normally use. I told her the baby one (the 12"). She said good, work on doing the 18. I did my first round with no problem. No stumbles. I did the next round the same. I saw her come up beside me and put the 20" box. She didn't say anything, she just smiled and pointed. I smiled back and moved over. I did rounds 4-7 on the 20" box and I was pretty freaking excited that I hadn't tripped and fallen on my face.

Just before round 8, out of the corner of my eye I saw her go behind me. I thought "she better not be doing what I think she's doing." She came out with the 24" box. I told her there was no way. She said to just try it once.

I'm 5'5" (I claim to be 5'6" when scales are involved but I'm right smack in the middle). Twenty-four inches comes almost to my mid thigh. That's imposing to stand next to thinking you have to take off with two feet from a standstill and land on top of it. When the round started I braced myself, made a move toward the box, and couldn't do it. My legs just wouldn't budge. I walked away trying to shake off the fear but it was very much there. The owner told me it was all mental and I could do it. I don't know how but I found the courage to take off but I did and landed solidly on top. The rush, I can't even describe it! I've feared box jumps for 9 months now. I just assumed I'd always be on the baby box.

I did the one and I was going to move back down to the 20" box but I felt such encouragement and strength that I felt like it would almost be an insult not to finish out on the 24" box (unless, of course, I smashed my face and needed stiches). So I did it. The rest of the rounds on the 24. I don't think I've felt so accomplished at Xfit in a very long time. Of course, I sucked ass at the actual WOD but I had already met a major goal. There will be many more rope climbs, having to modify after the 2nd last night was no big deal.

I realized that coaching is harder than it seems. You have to read every person you're training to see what is going to motivate them. Elayne, knowing me for 9 months now, took the opportunity to push me but in a way where I didn't feel scared or intimidated. She made it fun. And I succeeded! I appreciate the styles of all our trainers but for that particular skill I felt like it was just the right time and person to get me where I wanted to go.

There have been so many other "right time, right person" moments at Xfit. One of the coaches running the last lap of a WOD with me. I was so out of breath but of course I was going to give it my all. Another time I was feeling completely done halfway into the WOD and a different coach said my form looked great and I instantly felt stronger. I can truly say I've benefitted from everyone who has ever trained me at Xfit. Last night was only the most recent accomplishment that I could never have done on my own.

Elayne took this picture of me jumping the 20". So add FOUR MORE inches to that and that's what I did. This picture is more about me doing something physical, it's about trust -- trusting Elayne and trusting myself -- and overcoming fear. This was a great moment in my life.